As part our District Conference, we have two Power Rallies, one on Sunday evening, the other on Monday Evening. Our speaker this year was Dan Seaborn.
He brought a timely message for both pastors and lay people. It was actually a two part message. Dan can capture your attention like few speakers can. Both nights, he spoke for an hour and it seemed more like 20 or 30 minutes. He shared the story of Joseph and related several points. Because many of my posts over the last day have been about District Conference, I’ll combine both nights into one. First let me share some things that weren’t bullet points, but little nuggets I picked up along the way.
- It’s in the Bible, so it’s right — about this time he quoted my favorite saying from my series I’ve been preaching on the Old Testament, “Hollywood can’t write stories like this!”
- These stories are crazy good.
- Can you identify with this — Ever feel like you’re obeying God and getting into trouble?
- How we respond to hate is love
- Ever feel like you’ve been sold out?
- It’s crazy God would choose someone like me
- You want some Joseph’s in your company
- Keep your guard up.
Those were some of the things that popped out at me during Dan’s message both nights.
Easy to see principles:
- Having favorites causes jealousy.
- The bottom of the well is a lonely place — strength comes from the Lord.
- The longer you cover up a lie the bigger and badder it gets.
- Every family has troubles
- Be humble and God will exalt you.
- Trouble will find you wherever you go.
- Staying steady day after day takes great discipline.
Not so easy to see principles:
- All of this happened while they were doing everyday life (this was the second time that day this had been mentioned. The first was during our missions rally.)
- If you live a good clean life, others may not affirm you, but you will be at peace.
- It’s hard for a family to agree on anything.
- You will feel lost at times.
- We repeat family history.
- Satan attacks all ages.
- No matter how much it may hurt, give your kids to God.
- When you’re close to God you will see things others cannot see.
- You can have peace when you’re getting ripped off.
- In the middle of your trouble, look around and try to encourage others.
- God doesn’t work on manmade deadlines.
- Live for the last moment.
This was great stuff. To get the full impact, you really had to be there. I appreciate the hard work of all those who worked so hard on this conference. This was a challenging conference as you can see, by the various messages that were spoken/preached/taught. It was good to be with God’s people. It was good to be with my Wesleyan family, which really is what conference is all about. Now it’s time to get back to the business at hand.
